Kenley Jansen: 'I think they're smart enough to know what we really need'

Last September, Kenley Jansen appeared on the 'Baseball Isn't Boring' podcast to reflect on how he and many of the members of the Red Sox viewed the team's approach to the 2023 MLB trade deadline.

In synopsis, Jansen made it clear that the front office didn't supply the club with the pieces that the players viewed necessary to contend.

"We do have a great team and if we would have had a couple of starters (at the Trade Deadline) we wouldn’t be talking about this right now," Jansen said at the tail-end of the 2023 season. "We would be playing in a Wild Card game right now."

Returning to the BIB podcast, Jansen detailed how he viewed the Red Sox' lot in life in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline and the perceived needs his club has.

"Would I go to the front office? No. The reason why is because I get paid to close ballgames. … I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes. I think they are smart enough to know what we really need," he said. "It’s obvious what we need. It’s obvious we need a right-handed bat. It’s obvious we need a starter or two. And we’ll compete against anybody."

Jansen's take on the holes the Red Sox might have isn't unique, with most viewing the need to add starting pitching depth and a right-handed bat (preferably in the middle infield) to the equation as a priority.

The bigger question is regarding which side of the deadline the Red Sox will be on, as buyers or sellers. But, as Jansen pointed out on the podcast, with Alex Cora's team sitting 10 games over .500 and firmly entrenched in postseason hunt, that debate is disappaiting.

"I’m here to close games. I signed here to try and win a title here," the closer said. "If they ask … But I’m not going to go there. I think they’re smart enough to know what (they) need."